Mercedes was born February 22nd very peacefully in our home. I went into labor Sunday night around 7:30. I had light contractions, but it was starting to ache in my legs. We continued doing things around the house and getting our kids to bed. The contractions remained consistent. Then at around midnight my water released. We called my midwife and my good friend who we had called earlier that night to come take some pictures (I'm so glad we did!). I continued to labor and listen to my hypnobabies CDs. Mark was amazingly supportive and a strong presence for me. Everyone there was so wonderful and there was a really peaceful, supportive feeling. I used my birth ball and other birth positions. Lesli, who came to take pictures, does foot zoning and she rubbed certain points on my feet. That felt so good. I was trying to think of who would be good to have there to take pictures and Lesli was perfect. She has an interest in becoming a doula and she brought a very positive feeling that night. I'm so glad she was there!
Around 3:45 AM I got in my bath, which was nice. I was starting to get to the point I wanted to be done. My midwife had me get out and she checked me. She didn't tell me and I didn't feel like I should ask her what I was dilated to. I didn't want to get discouraged and I needed to keep my mind focused and positive and my body relaxed. But I did say prayers for strength and that I was hoping she would be born soon. I went back out to my room and rested against my birth ball during strong, close together contractions. Then within a few minutes I had that wonderful, powerful urge to push and felt that incredible force moving through my body. I think my midwife was surprised to see me starting to push and probably thought she better check me to make sure I was fully dilated (I was only at a 5 plus when she had checked shortly before), but she didn't need to! I felt Mercedes' head and with another push her sweet body be born. She was born at 4:40 Monday morning. No words can fully describe that amazing feeling right after birth. I felt amazing joy and rejoicing. The Spirit of heaven was strong and I felt an immediate strong bond and love for this precious angel. I felt gratitude and love for Mark and those who were there with me and gratitude to Heavenly Father. It was Beautiful.
These were taken right after she was born.
Mark is holding Mercedes right after she was born
I didn't post all of the birthing pictures here on my blog, but if you want to see them let me know and I can invite you.
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11 comments:
How beautiful! I love hearing birth stories (especially home births) and I love the pictures, thank you for sharing. I am trying to talk Mark into letting us have a close friend take pictures for us when we have the twins, but he refuses. He says it is too personal of an experience, but I would just love to capture those beautiful moments when they are first born.
Very Cool Christie! I am glad it was so peaceful and you were able to remain so relaxed. What an amazing feeling that is during birth!
Well, you look sickeningly gorgeous mere minutes after giving birth. That's just not right! :) I'm glad you had a peaceful birth experience and that it went so well! That was pretty much the exact opposite of my terrifying (accidental) natural birth experience. I hope the next birth goes better. If not I'll be done for sure. Love you guys! We still need to hook up online sometime!
Congrats on your sweet new baby!
Wow, you are a brave woman to do that in your home. Also, labor and deliver in under ten hours?! I would kill for that!! Maybe next time.
I am so glad you wrote her story-it gives me so much hope that although we are in a hospital, we can have that same peaceful experience! I only have one relaxation CD, so I would love some recommendations on the ones you used! Congratulations!!
Oh Christie reading that gave me the chills all over again! Thank you thank you a million times over for letting me be with your family that night. It was honestly one of the most amazing things I've ever been able to be a part of! I loved hearing how you felt about what I could only observe. So wonderful! Sorry for not getting the other pictures to you yet:( I'm awfully slow and it's been a few crazy weeks. I'll hurry though, I promise! Take care -
Thanks very much for this story. I was secretly (not very secretly, I probably would've asked for it at some point) hoping you would share. Lovely pictures, too, good job on your friend. Really, a beautiful post.
Beautiful Christie! I've been lurking on your blog a bit and I was hoping you'd share your birth story. I would love to do a homebirth for our next, but so far Taylor isn't there. I guess I've got time to talk him into it. I would love to hear more about your experience, if you don't mind sharing. I was excited to read that you used Hypnobabies! Did you use it with your others? Sorry, I don't remember. I love hypnobabies. My poor pregnant friends. I think they get sick of me telling them how awesome it is, lol. Congrats!
Hi! One more comment, do you mind if I post two pictures of you on my blog? One of Mark kissing your forehead right after you had Mercedes and the other of you in bed holding your baby (the same you you have posted?) I know these are extremely personal and wanted to see what you thought first:)
I'm glad you guys enjoyed hearing about it. :)
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